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Ward council approves multiple ordinances and emergency measures; one purchasing change fails
Summary
The Ward City Council adopted a fire-department fee for responses outside city limits and several other ordinances and resolutions — some with emergency clauses — while rejecting a proposed change to purchasing authority; a parking ordinance restricting heavy vehicles passed after resident testimony.
The Ward City Council approved a series of ordinances and resolutions at its Oct. 21 meeting, adopting emergency measures for certain rules and advancing policies on utility service outside the city while rejecting a proposed increase in purchasing authority for water and wastewater items.
On a unanimous roll call the council adopted Ordinance 2025-17, authorizing the Ward Fire Department to charge for fire and other emergency responses outside the city limits; the mayor said the measure will take effect at the start of the calendar year. Council also approved Ordinance 2025-19, a general penalty ordinance to provide fines where none are specified, and invoked an emergency clause so it takes effect immediately.
A proposed change to the city’s purchasing procedure (Ordinance 2025-18), which would have increased single-item spending authority for water and wastewater items to $25,000, failed on a second-reading vote (yea: Council members McMahon and Chapman; nay: Hefner, Brooke, Rubble, Hall). The mayor announced he would not reintroduce it as written.
The council also amended and adopted Ordinance 2025-23 to clarify when the city will provide utilities to subdivisions and individual developed properties outside city limits; the body suspended the rules for second and third readings and passed the amended ordinance with an emergency clause to make it effective immediately once finalized.
Votes at a glance - Ordinance 2025-17 (fire responses outside city limits): approved on third reading and adopted; roll call unanimous. - Ordinance 2025-18 (purchasing procedure): failed on second reading (yes 2, no 4). - Ordinance 2025-19 (general penalty): approved on third reading and adopted with emergency clause. - Ordinance 2025-21 (parking limits for >1-ton vehicles): approved on third reading and adopted; effective in 30 days. - Ordinance 2025-23 (utilities outside city limits): amended, approved as amended, and approved with emergency clause.
Council members conducted routine approvals of minutes, department reports and financials at the start of the meeting and concluded with administrative resolutions covering equipment purchases and contract approvals.
The council’s actions reflect a mix of regulatory updates, emergency fixes to gaps in enforcement authority and local infrastructure policy adjustments. Several items passed with limited discussion; when votes were split, the council recorded roll-call tallies. The council scheduled follow-ups for projects that require additional technical or contractual work.
